Blue economy and the exclusive economic zones in Africa

Abstract

This chapter argues that even though the African maritime coverage is enormous, marking their Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the potential and active boundary disputes within this space makes blue economy resources within Africa's EEZ only available in principle. The chapter argues that in this space, the development of the contemporary demand dictates a need to maintain the integrity of the environment and social considerations simultaneously. This concurrent consideration is the crux of the blue economy concept. However, availing access to resources on one hand and economic development, on the other hand, is not deterministic. Instead, positive outcomes are a function of deliberate policy and legislation regimes that shift in form but are consistent in the focus and the aim of improving human wellbeing.